Safety urged after train fatality in Thomasville

Authorities are stressing safety among motorists and pedestrians with railroads after a teenager was killed by a train in Thomasville this past week.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAK The Dispatch

Authorities are stressing safety among motorists and pedestrians with railroads after a teenager was killed by a train in Thomasville this past week.A day after the fatality, the Thomasville Police Department issued rail safety tips in an effort to reduce fatalities and injuries, said TPD Det. Sgt. Brad Saintsing. The TPD is working with N.C. Railroad Police and N.C. Operation Lifesaver to spread awareness concerning railroad safety. They are in the process of scheduling events in Thomasville in regard to safety with trains.Operation Lifesaver, according to its website, is a program designed to help save lives at the most dangerous spot on any highway or road, the highway-rail grade crossing. Operation Lifesaver is an active, continuous public information and education program to help prevent and reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities by improving driver performance at the nation's approximately 270,000 public and private highway-rail grade crossings.Saintsing said data provided to him by Operation Lifesaver shows North Carolina ranked ninth in total fatalities among the 50 states involving trains in 2012. He also explained every three hours in the United States a pedestrian or vehicle is struck by a train. Among the reasons of what commonly leads to fatalities is the increased frequency and speeds of the trains and distractions, the sergeant said."Simply put, people are just not paying attention," he said.Evidence, according to the TPD, indicates 18-year-old Paul Anthony Taylor may have been listening to a MP3 player and did not hear the train or the horn. The Thomasville High School student was killed March 26 after an Amtrak engineer reported seeing him walking on the southbound tracks in downtown Thomasville. The engineer activated the horn multiple times, and when the person did not respond, he placed the train in emergency stop. The train was unable to stop in time, striking the pedestrian. The train was originally traveling at approximately 79 miles per hour.Sainsting explained that a train travels through Thomasville 37 times each day Monday through Friday and 24 times each on Saturday and Sunday."Amtrak typically travels 70 to 79 mph as they come through Thomasville," he said. "With that said, that's why it's critical to only cross tracks at designated areas and observe all warning signs and signals."Taylor's death meant the second fatality to occur in Thomasville with a train in the past year. Larry Edward Barnes, 65, died July 17 after an Amtrak engineer reported seeing a person in the middle of the tracks and sounded the horn. Upon hearing the train horn, Barnes attempted to cross in front of the train, police said. That train also was traveling 79 miles per hour at the time of the accident.Fatalities involving trains are not just happening in Thomasville. So far this year, people have reportedly been killed by trains in Charlotte, Rocky Mount, Burlington and Raleigh. Kimberly Woods with Amtrak Media Relations said her company encourages passengers and the public to be on alert and report safety or security issues through a neighborhood watch-style program called "Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security" and a public awareness campaign with the slogan, "If you see Something, Say Something. Hopefully, it's Nothing." Amtrak encourages people to report behaviors or activities that are unusual or out of the ordinary such as trespassers and suspicious packages by calling Amtrak Police at 800-331-0008 or 911.The Thomasville Police Department released the following tip for pedestrians and motorists:• Never walk or run on railroad tracks. Remember that "Tracks are for trains. Stay away and stay alive." • Walking on or near the railroad tracks is dangerous — and illegal. Trains in North Carolina operate up to 79 miles per hour and can take over a mile to come to a complete stop. Also, tracks are on private property; you risk being cited for trespassing. • Do not cycle or operate all-terrain vehicles on railroad tracks or rights-of-way. • Do not hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. They are not designed to be sidewalks — there is only enough clearance for a train to pass. • Always look both ways before crossing railroad tracks and cross only in designated areas. • Do not cross tracks when gates are down. • Be aware that trains may operate any time throughout the day and night in either direction. • Cross tracks only in designated areas and always proceed with caution. • Do not attempt to hop on board railroad cars or locomotives at any time. Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com